“Satan stood up against Israel, and PROVOKED (sûth: to incite, allure, instigate, entice) David to number Israel…God was very displeased with the census, and he punished Israel for it. Then David said to God, “I have sinned greatly by taking this census. Please forgive my guilt for doing this foolish thing.” (1 Chronicles 21:1, 7-8)
Satan can only act according to what GOD ALLOWS HIM TO DO. In the well-known account of Job’s adversity and personal losses, God allowed Satan to afflict Job, but with certain limitations: “And the LORD said to Satan, ‘Behold, all that he (Job) has is in your power; only DO NOT LAY A HAND ON HIS PERSON’” (Job 1:12). God placed restrictions on Satan’s power. While 1 Chronicles 21:1 states that it was Satan who moved David to take the census, 2 Samuel 24:1 assigns this action to God. But there is no contradiction. The answer is that God allowed Satan to influence David. Satan cannot afflict true Christians unless GOD ALLOWS him to do so.
“No temptation has overtaken you except such as IS COMMON TO MAN; but GOD IS FAITHFUL, (pistos: reliable, trustworthy) who will not allow you to be tempted BEYOND WHAT YOU ARE ABLE, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.” (1 Corinthians 10:13)
“My brethren, COUNT IT ALL JOY when you FALL (piptō: to decline from a state of uprightness) into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith PRODUCES PATIENCE. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be PERFECT AND COMPLETE, LACKING NOTHING.” (James 1:2-4)
In my younger days I wrestled and played football, I can still remember the long hours of very grueling workouts, testing my endurance but conditioning me so I could be successful. Anything we desire to be successful in will require DEMANDING PREPARATION. We must realize that our Christian walk will be met with demonic resistance, “The thief (Satan) does not come except to STEAL, and to KILL, and to DESTROY.” Satan’s desire is to STEAL OUR JOY, to KILL our hope of a renewed relationship with the Lord and DESTROY our ability to share the JOY OF THE LORD. Thankfully Jesus promises, “I have come that they may have 1LIFE, and that they may have it more 2ABUNDANTLY.” (John 10:10) 1zóé: the absolute fullness of life. 2perissos: over and above, more than is necessary, superior, extraordinary, surpassing. You see, the Lord intimately shares HIS GIFT OF LIFE with us. We have this life in all its SUPERIORITY which is over and above ALL that we could ask or think!!!
Your Personal Pastor -Bill Stockham